Vietnam’s $83 Million Surge in Overseas Investment: A Strategic Shift Toward Southeast Asia

A Strong Start in 2025

Vietnam’s outbound investment reached $83 million in January 2025, representing a fivefold increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, this surge was driven entirely by 10 newly registered projects, with no adjustments made to existing ones.

This signals a clear appetite among Vietnamese enterprises for new opportunities abroad, rather than simply scaling current ventures.

Sectoral Breakdown: Manufacturing and Mining Lead

Vietnam’s overseas investment in January was concentrated in a few key industries:

• Manufacturing and Processing (74.2%): reflecting Vietnam’s ambition to expand deeper into global supply chains.
  
  

• Mining (22.5%): a 4.7-fold increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting a renewed focus on resource-based sectors.
  
  

• Other sectors: including construction, technology, and telecommunications, accounted for a smaller share, showing that investments remain largely concentrated in traditional industries rather than high-value services.

Shifting Focus Toward Southeast Asia

The geographical distribution of investments in January 2025 marked a notable shift toward Southeast Asia. Vietnamese enterprises directed capital to eight countries and territories, with new dynamics emerging:

• The Philippines (39.4%): a surprise leader, with no prior Vietnamese investments in the same period last year.
  
  

• Indonesia (37.4%): another significant newcomer, signaling confidence in one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies.
  
  

• Laos (22.3%): continuing as a core market, with investment volume 4.4 times higher year-over-year.
  
  

This trend underscores a strategic expansion beyond traditional markets such as Laos and Cambodia, as Vietnamese businesses increasingly leverage ASEAN trade agreements and the region’s fast-growing economies.

Vietnam’s Global Investment Footprint

As of January 2025, Vietnam had 1,836 active overseas projects with total registered capital exceeding $22.68 billion, spanning 18 out of 21 economic sectors.

Key sectors by total investment:

• Mining: $7 billion (31%)
  
  

• Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries: $3.4 billion (15%)
  
  

• Information and communications: $2.84 billion (13%)
  
  

Top destinations by cumulative capital:

• Laos: $5.7 billion
  
  

• Cambodia: $2.94 billion
  
  

• Venezuela: $1.83 billion
  
  

While Laos and Cambodia remain important partners, the recent shift toward the Philippines and Indonesia points to a more diversified and regionally integrated investment strategy.

Outlook: Vietnam as a Regional Investor

Looking ahead, several trends are expected to define Vietnam’s outbound investment strategy:

• Deeper expansion into Southeast Asia: leveraging ASEAN supply chains, trade deals, and competitive markets.
  
  

• Gradual diversification into high-value sectors: including technology, services, and green industries, reducing reliance on mining and resource-based sectors.
  
  

• Focus on sustainable growth: enhancing risk management, compliance, and efficiency in overseas operations.
  
  

The momentum seen in early 2025 reinforces Vietnam’s transition from being primarily a recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) to becoming an emerging regional investor.

Conclusion

Vietnam’s $83 million leap in outbound investment in January 2025 is more than just a statistical milestone—it reflects a strategic realignment toward Southeast Asia and higher-value sectors. With a growing portfolio of overseas projects and a willingness to explore new markets, Vietnamese enterprises are positioning themselves as active contributors to regional economic growth, not just participants.

If this trajectory continues, Vietnam is set to play a pivotal role as both an investment destination and a regional investor in the global economy.